Page:SermonsFromTheLatins.djvu/512

 ing hand. Therefore, I  say,  the  unbeliever — the  neglecter  of  religion — is  infinitely  baser  than  the  betrayer of  his  country.

Brethren, your  irreligious  relative  will  tell  you  this picture is  overdrawn. " I  am  not  as  bad  as  that," he says,  "  I  admit  all  but  a  few  of  the  truths  of  religion. With  one  or  two  exceptions  the  commandments of  God  and  the  Church  are  all  right.  But have  not  I  the  right  to  worship  God  in  my  own way?  "  The  right  to  pick  and  choose  in  religion — to worship  God  as  you  please! Most decidedly  not! What manner  of  citizen,  soldier,  or  servant  would that be  who  should  decide  with  himself  what  laws and commands  he  would  obey,  which  violate? God did not  consult  you  and  me  whether  He  should  create and  redeem  us  or  not;  and  the  duties  and  obligations arising  from  creation  and  redemption  are  not for us  to  criticise  but  to  fulfil. The religion  that  accepts only  half  the  truth  and  does  only  what  it  feels like doing,  is  like  worshipping  God  and  robbing  our neighbor; or  helping  our  neighbor  and  despising God. It is  as  bad,  aye  worse  than  no  religion,  because in  the  sight  of  God  it  adds  insult  to  injury. For God  has  sworn  that  sooner  shall  the  heavens  fall than one  iota  of  His  religion  be  changed,  and  St. Paul  warns  us  that  even  were  an  angel  from  heaven to preach  us  a  gospel  other  than  that  of  Christ  crucified let  him  be  anathema.

Brethren, let  me  prove  to  you  the  picture  is  not overdrawn, by  taking  it  from  life. This irreligious relative of  yours,  what  is  his  condition? His soul  ani-